USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Holden > History of the town of Holden, Massachusetts, 1667-1941 > Part 15
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In 1844 he purchased the Jason Knowlton farm in Holden and spent his last years there.
This colonial house on South Main Street opposite Bailey Road is now the home of his grand daughter E. Marybell Fales.
Each room in the house has its large fireplace, those on the first floor with ovens, and besides the one in the living room is a built-in high back "settle," made when the house was built.
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THE FROST HOMESTEAD
The history of this fine old brick house on Whitney Street dates back to pre-Revolutionary days.
The present owners have a record of its having been sold by Ethan Davis, Senior, in 1803 to Dana Frost who married Patty, the youngest sister of Mr. Davis.
In 1859, Dolly Howard of Leicester, purchased the place from Sewell and Stillman Worster, of Milford. Other owners have been George and Lucinda Goddard, Horace Howard, David Holbrook and James Holden who sold to the present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Horsefall in 1938.
The exterior walls of the strongly built house are one foot in thickness and show no signs of weakening.
The windows all have their original casings, fasten- ed together with wooden pegs, as are the hand hewn chestnut beams in living and dining rooms.
Many of the window panes are the original glass, beautifully colored by age.
There are eight fireplaces in the house, the one in the original 38 foot kitchen had brick ovens at either end.
The woodwork and wainscoting in all rooms is hand carved, and old hand wrought hinges and latches still decorate the fine old "Christian doors."
SILAS M. HUBBARD HOUSE
On the hill at the right after passing through Quin- apoxet, on the road to Princeton stands the spacious homestead formerly occupied by Silas M. Hubbard. Across the street a new barn has replaced the old one destroyed in the 1938 hurricane.
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Mr. Hubbard served as deacon of the Congregation- al Church for twenty-six years, and his father, Elisha Hubbard served in the same capacity for twenty-one years, and was five times chosen selectman and was as- sessor for fifteen years.
MASON HOMESTEAD
This is located on Mason Road, five miles north of Holden center, and was built in 1818 by J. J. Kendall.
Of Colonial type, the house still retains its original doors made with pegs in place of nails, and with hand forged hinges, two feet long and having the original latches.
Nearly every room has a fire place and brick oven of the finest type, and many of the rooms still retain their old colonial type of wainscoting with hand made dado trim, which also decorates the exterior of the house.
The wall paper in the parlor, finely preserved was put on when the house was built, and is said to have been the first wall paper to be used in Holden.
Following Mr. Kendall the place was owned by Sol- omon Parmenter, Samuel Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Willie H. Mason, and by their son Orrin W. and his wife, who are the present occupants of the homestead.
JONATHAN MOORE HOUSE
Jonathan Moore was born in Tatnuck but came to Holden when a youth, enlisting in the Revolution in 1775.
In 1780, he built a home on Reservoir Street, near the Worcester line and was one of the first members of
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the school board in that district. His farm comprised a large part of the land in that locality.
His son Newell, who continued living on the home place until 1850 served the town as selectman and was a deacon of the Congregational Church for 16 years.
When the Worcester Reservoir was built the original house was moved over the Worcester line about 50 rods and is today in use as a dwelling.
NEWELL HOMESTEAD
In December, 1778, Aaron Newell bought fifty acres of land from David Ballou on what is now Newell Road, and some part of the original farm was occupied by his descendents for more than one hundred and fifty- five years.
The homestead, built on a knoll on the east side of the highway, overlooked broad acres of meadow land, through which a brook marked its uneven course.
When manufacturing began in Chaffins, the mead- ows were flooded, and the area became Chaffins Pond as we see it today.
The homestead, now owned by the William Olson family, was equipped with fire places, brick ovens and in the ell a huge "built-in" brass kettle with brick fire box underneath was used when large quantities of hot water were required.
The house next below, built by the writer's father, J. Albert Newell in 1879, was his home for fifty-four years, and just beyond, on the opposite side of the road, close to the hillside, stands the house which was erected for Mary and Susan Newell, who died in 1835, aged
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sixty-six years. The following mention of them is made in the Damon and Estes histories.
"These individuals were twin sisters, lived most of their days in a family and home by themselves, often expressed a wish that they might die together, which desire was almost literally granted, as one died at one o'clock P.M. and the other at eleven o'clock the same day.
"They were buried in the same grave and in the same coffin."
DR. WILLIAM P. PAINE HOUSE
The second house from the northwest corner of Highland and Walnut Streets was the parsonage oc- cupied by Dr. Paine during his long pastorate at the Congregational Church.
The family moved into it when his youngest daugh- ter Laura Mack, who was born in what is now the Trowel Club Building, was a very young child, and it remained their home until the death of Dr. Paine in 1.876.
In the 80's the place was sold to Mr. Marcus Moore whose family occupied it until it was sold in 1916 to the William J. Jamiesons, the present owners.
TIMOTHY PARKER PLACE
On Shrewsbury Street just beyond the transmitting station may be seen the ruins of the colonial homestead of Timothy Parker, Jr., descendent of a long line of patriots.
Six sons in one family served in the Revolution. Mr. Parker settled in Holden about 1792. "In early man-
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hood he raised a company and served as Lieutenant and then as Captain in the French and Indian War.
THE "RED HOUSE AND BARN"
The red house west of the postoffice is one of Hol- den's oldest houses.
At the rear, extending to the present postoffice build- ing stood a large red barn, for many years a well known landmark.
Three sub cellars were dug deeply into the ground under the barn, and these were used as a refuge from the indians and as a secret supply base for guns and ammunition during the French and Indian Wars and the Revolution.
In the former, war supplies and ammunition were relayed from this base by ox-cart to the settlers in the western part of the state.
From the third sub cellar of the barn a passage ran to a single sub cellar beneath the back part of the "red house." The cellars averaged about eight feet in height.
Shortly before the Revolution the house was rebuilt, the second floor being made into a hall where recruits were hurriedly trained for service in the Revolution,
At the time that the corner room was used as a post- office, a cobblers shop occupied space in the basement. . In 1873, the property was purchased by Charles Flagg, who tore down the barn and remodeled the house, adding the piazza in front, and having water piped to the house from the town well.
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COLONEL ISAAC NEWTON ROSS HOUSE
The large house on the northeast corner of Phillips Road and Highland Street was built by Charles Glea- son and later became the home of Colonel Ross.
He was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, but later removed to Darbyville, Ohio, where in 1861 he was commissioned Colonel of the Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service until his health fail- ed in March, 1863.
In 1867, he came to live in Holden, being then super- intendent of the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad.
His death occurred in 1881, and at his own written request his body was sent to Washington, Pennsylvania, for cremation.
This being the first instance of cremation in New England, it caused widespread criticism and comment.
The pages devoted to his biography in the Estes his- tory are of exceedingly great interest.
The place was next owned by Oscar Phillips whose family sold it in 1912 to the Frank J. Knowltons, who remained there until 1928, when they sold to the Edwin F. Goulds, the present owners.
ROGERS HOMESTEAD
This house on Boyden Road next west of the Captain Webb house dates back to 1772 or earlier.
Until purchased recently by Mrs. William J. Jam- ieson from Walter S. Rogers, it had remained in the Rogers family since 1854, when it was sold to them by Justin Ware. An early owner was Charles Damon.
The original fire places are still in evidence, a brick oven adjoining the one in the kitchen.
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WARREN HOMESTEAD
Located on North Main Street a short distance west of its junction with High Street, this roomy colonial homestead was formerly the home of Heman Richard- son, who in 1789 became owner of the tannery which stood in the rear of the house.
In 1838, Waterman G. Warren came to Holden from Auburn and engaged in the tannery business which was continued by his sons until 1917.
On the death of the father, his son Samuel became owner of the Homestead and in addition to his busi- ness activities, Mr. Warren served on the Board of Se- lectmen, of the Assessors, and for six years as a member of the School Committee. In 1867, he was representa- tive to the State Legislature.
Mrs. Marion (Lakin) Warren also served for some years as a member of the School Committee, and was active in the local W. C. T. U., and in the Congrega- tional Church, serving as President of the Woman's Society for more than twenty-five years.
Their son Arthur K. and his wife Helen (Trask) Warren, the present owners of the Homestead take an active part in the organizations and community life of the town.
CAPTAIN GEORGE WEBB HOUSE
The Captain George Webb house on Boyden Road, now the home of the Edgar W. Holdens, was built about 1798, and came into the possession of Captain Webb, in 1818.
The house, strongly built, with hand hewn timbers, originally had a large central chimney with three fire-
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places, and the cellar stairs were made of solid blocks of oak.t
In 1828, Captain Webb deeded the place to his daughter.
Simon Abbot, a grandson of Captain Webb lived for many years in the house directly across the street.
; The ballot boxes used by the Captain George Webb Chapter D. A. R. were made from one of these blocks.
Chapter XVII
Bicentennial Celebration
At a town meeting on February 10, 1940, it was voted that the moderator appoint a committee of five to consider all matters relating to the appropriate ob- servance of the 200th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Holden, and the following persons were named to serve in that capacity: Hastings Hawkes, chairman, Ella M. Harrington, Einar A. Lar- son, Walter W. Gleason, J. Stanley Holt.
This commitee began at once to make plans for the celebration of this most important milestone in the history of the town.
For the expenses of the celebration, and the cost of a new history of Holden, the town appropriated the sum of $2700.
Mr. Hawkes being unable to continue his services, resigned on March 28, 1941, and Milton F. Beecher was made a member of the committee, with J. Stanley Holt as chairman.
The first observance was held on the anniversary of the incorporation of the town.
200TH ANNIVERSARY*
At six o'clock, on Sunday morning, May 4, 1941, in Holden Center, the thermometer registered 38 degrees. Snow falling two days before was "gone by night."
* An album of pictures taken during this Bicentennial celebration may be found in the Gale Free Public Library.
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A delicate white mist lay over the distant hills, but overhead the sky was clear and bright.
At the appointed time the church bells, which, for so many years had called the townspeople to worship, sounded their clear notes, and people assembled in their various church homes.
In some, the regular church service was conducted, but in front of the Congregational Church the usual line of automobiles was not seen.
Instead, people walked to the church, many in beau- tiful old time costumes, and reverently entered the well filled sanctuary.
The stained glass likeness of that "first church" was outlined against the bright blue sky as the youthful pastor, in dress of other days, stood to give the Call to Worship, and it seemed, in truth, that the spirit of the past and present were mingled in the service which will long be remembered by those who witnessed it.
The Order of Worship follows.
Pastor of the Church, Rev. Robert Lee Dutton, pre- siding.
ORGAN PRELUDE Familiar hymns written long ago.
CALL TO WORSHIP The Pastor
"Holiness becometh thy house, (O Lord)". These words from the 93rd Psalm, words which for so many years graced the front of this room, fittingly open our 200th anniversary service. With a sense of the dig- nity and the importance of what we are doing, we en- deavor to combine on this day the past, the present, and the future. The occasion itself renders us solemn.
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Yet solemnity does not mean unabated grimness. The sparkle of life is here, and must be here.
Our purpose today is not particularly to live in the past. No attempt has been made to reconstruct a serv- ice as it might have been at some stated time in years gone by. Rather do we endeavor to make ourselves especially conscious of the present. It is in 1941 that we live. We want to live more nobly in this present year and in the years ahead. By bringing before us elements from the past we are impressed with what a heritage is ours. We have been bought with a price. Words of our historical addresses will lay this upon our hearts. But striking home with equal effect will be evidence of past life appealing to our senses. As we sing to the stately tune of Old Hundred let us real- ize that 100 years ago almost to the hour a congregation in this room sang these same words to the same tune. By the custom of deaconing and by the words of this hymn we go in imagination back to the founding of the town 200 years ago.
Other elements in the service will remind you of other years in our span of two hundred. Some in cos- tume of long, long ago; others in dress of more recent time. Words from men who honored this pulpit in the recent past, a prayer from the observance of 50 years ago. By these tokens the past has come alive in the present. Indeed this mixture of the old and the new enriches the melody of life, blending the deep and the solid with that which as yet still seeks its permanent lodging. Fifty and one hundred years ago you would have entered this building led by music of a band. Today you enter by music brought to you by powers
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released only within the century, yea of the half cen- tury. But that music played to you from a book in use in this church 50 years ago brings to you strength from the past. We are reminded of the words of Jesus who said "the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old." (Matt .: 13-52.)
Let us hear a formal call to worship from the order of service in use at about the turn of the last century.
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. . . Seek ye the Lord while He may be found ; call ye upon Him while He is near. . . I know the thoughts that I think to- ward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil. And ye shall seek of me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Let us as it would have been said a hundred years ago, address the Throne of Grace, with all at the end joining in the prayer of the ages: Eternal God, mark Thou this day upon our hearts. May our spirits per- ceive the significance of our worship here in this place this hour. Grant that from this union of the past with the present we may receive renewal of life, causing us to rededicate all our powers to the service of God through our loyalty to his Son, Our Lord, through Whom we pray, even as He taught us, saying :
The Lord's Prayer.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN
THE CENTENNIAL HYMN Tune, Old Hundred Deaconed by Mr. Gilbert Moore, and sung by all. '
One hundred years have roll'd away, Unrealized, unseen, unfelt,
Since first before thine altars here, O, God! our holy fathers knelt. First in their noble thoughts and plans, The love and worship, Lord of Thee; The, the strong training of their youth, The love of Man and Liberty.
And here we meet-remembering those Who laid these first foundations well, That, o'er their honored dust, one strain, Of triumph and of love may swell. And now we bend before Thee, here, Stand on the ground our fathers trod ; Be Thou our strength, our life, our light, Our own, as once OUR FATHER'S GOD.
(Written by J. H. Bancroft)
READING OF THE SCRIPTURE Psalm 103
THE SESQUI-CENTENNIAL PRAYER As delivered by Rev. William Howe, in 1891.
THE OFFERING
Offertory selection Andante Cantabile, Tschaikowsky.
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GREETINGS FROM THE LIVING FORMER PASTORS
Rev. George E. Cary
1912-1919
Rev. Charles O. Eames
1922-1931
Rev. P. Virgil Harris
1931-1935
A HYMN BY THE LATE PASTOR EMERITUS
Tune: Duke Street, written by Rev. Thomas Earle Babb, pastor of this church, 1892-1912.
O God of wisdom, God of love,
Whose Temple is the Heaven above,
Thine earthly church its voice would raise
To join the heavenly songs of praise. It was the "still small voice" that spoke So clear that sinful souls awoke To leave the downward road of night And seek the path of truth and light. So came this fellowship of souls And more are seeking higher goals So Thou hast given the life divine The love that wrought it all was Thine. O God of wisdom, God of Grace Make Thou the Church, Thy dwelling place And may its light shine forth abroad The light of Life-The light of God.
A HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
Mrs. William H. Warren Read by William H. Warren, Jr.
CAPT UFO WEBB
1^61 - 06U
CAPTAIN G. WEBB HOUSE
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN
ANTHEM "The Heavens Are Declaring" Beethoven
HISTORICAL ADDRESS "A Heritage Is Ours" Mrs. Hastings Hawkes
BICENTENNIAL HYMN Tune: St. Margaret
O, God Who gathered in of old, Our Fathers, when, their battle won, They learned, content, their hands to fold, No longer need for courage bold, And shadows turned to sun. Help us today to hold through Thee The faith that justice maketh might, To dare to keep Thy people free, And still to pray on bended knee. The prayers blessed in Thy sight. O, God of battle as of peace,
Our hills of home stand safe and strong, We pray that wars afar shall cease And stricken peoples find release, Their weeping turned to song. O, God show us Thy holy Will That we Thy banner high shall bear, Lord of our fathers, lead us still, While we Thy prophecies fulfill, And know Thy love and care.
(Written by Helen Abbott Beals for this occasion.)
BENEDICTION (Congregation remaining standing)
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SILENT PRAYER AND MEDITATION (Con- gregation seated )
CHORAL RESPONSE
ORGAN POSTLUDE
SERVICE OF RE-DEDICATION*
May 4, 1941
Throughout the day sunny skies favored the happy observance of Holden's 200th birthday, and patches of golden forsythia with bright colored tulips and bor- ders lined with purple violets, added to the beauty of the scene, as, from far and near, people gathered in the High School Auditorium for the service which would complete the day's celebration.
The decorations were in charge of John W. Matt- son, who made effective use of geraniums, petunias and ageratum in the national colors, with a setting of evergreens, and a large American flag in the back- ground.
The opening number was the singing of "Faith of Our Fathers" by the Community Chorus of a hundred voices from Holden Church choirs. This was directed by Mrs. Ralph A. Tymeson, with Neil W. Farrar at the organ.
The Lord's Prayer was led by George C. Johnson, followed by the singing of "America, My Own," by the Chorus.
* This complete service was recorded on seven twelve-inch records which are placed in the charge of the Town Clerk.
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Chairman William J. Jamieson then read messages of greeting from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor Leverett Saltonstall, U. S. Senators Henry Cabot Lodge and David I. Walsh, Representative Pehr G. Holmes, and Mayor William A. Bennett of Worcester, County Treasurer Alexander G. Lajoie and State Senator Harold R. Lundgren.
Following this, an address was given by Mr. Jamie- son, "Review of Town History," in which he noted important events in town since its incorporation, and, in closing said "We very proudly recognize that what the citizens of our town voted for, they were ready to fight for," citing a resolution in 1768 to uphold civil and religious liberty. "For these 200 years, Holden has been blessed with good government. Honest and efficient servants of the people have been elected to office.
"We have a splendid foundation on which to build this town to greater glory, and I am sure we re-dedi- cate ourselves to that task."
"Onward, Ye Peoples!" sung by the Chorus, pre- ceeded the address by Superintendent of Schools, James R. Childs on the "History of the Educational Development of the Town," which showed the prog- ress made through the years, since 1741, when Holden voted fifty pounds for the support of schools and church.
He said "Holden has kept in step with the educa- tional demands of a rapidly changing social order, still holding to the traditional organization of eight elementary and four secondary school years.
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"This very brief outline of the history of education in Holden has of necessity omitted much of interest and importance. It is evidence, however, of the faith and pride that the citizens of Holden have in their schools, representing training for citizenship, and working with the church and the New England Town Meeting to build a true democracy in support of our American Way of Life."
The next feature will long be remembered. As the chorus sang "Forward Through the Ages," thirty-two persons, young and old, dressed to represent some pe- riod in the history of Holden, marched around the stage.
They were led by Wallace L. Seger, who imperson- ated Holden's first pastor, Joseph Davis.
Eight-year-old Janet K. Llewelyn, great-great- granddaughter of Thomas Earle Babb, a long-time pastor of the Congregational Church, was dressed in her grandmother's 56-year-old blue silk gown.
The committee arranging this feature of the pro- gram were Mrs. Laurence A. Cross, Mrs. Jessie K. Smith, Mrs. M. Addie Holden, Mrs. Donald P. Maynard.
An address, "History of the Medical Profession in the Town," was given by Dr. Frank H. Washburn who said in part:
"The predecessor of the Doctor of Medicine in Wor- cester and environs was the Nipmuc Medicine Man, who practiced under the diamonistic theory of sick- ness and death. His treatment included hideous dan- ces, grimaces, beating of tom-toms and exhibition of all sorts of charms, the purpose of which was to drive
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out the demons possessing the bodies of his patients. Through faith and suggestion, the shaman undoubted- ly brought comfort to many sufferers in the domain now known as Holden, though the death rate, under the system, we are told, was extremely high.
"Damon's history, published in 1841, informs us that Dr. Isaac Chenery was the first physician, after the town's incorporation in 1741, to permanently locate here in Holden, which he did in 1768. His medical career ended with his death in 1822, in his eightieth year. The historian states, 'He commenced the study of physic and surgery, without having previously en- joyed the advantages of a good education. Blessed naturally with a vigorous constitution and a strong mind, after a few months of study, he ventured of offer himself as a practitioner.'
"At the end of the first decade, 'there was a remark- able sickness causing the death of twenty-two persons.' In 1755, following the earthquake, a raging distemper carried off forty-five persons, mostly young people. This was evidently dysentery. In 1773, two hundred fourteen persons, more than half under five years of age had died. The losses in the large families, of which there were one hundred six at that time, were more than replenished, for there had been six hundred forty-two births.
"The fees for medical service about this time de- pended upon distance traveled and was 'six pence per mile, out.' This fee was not small by comparison to other costs for the historian tells us that a glass of New England rum could be bought for two coppers.
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"Of the twelve men named in Damon's History of Holden as having practiced medicine during the first century of the town's incorporate existence, but two were graduate M.D.'s, David Davis and Augustus Rob- bins. The practice of two or three of them lapped over into the second century, then we find recorded the following: 'Drs. Joseph T. O. West practiced here for some years prior to 1853, later moved to Princeton, his widow still lives in that town; Albert D. Smith, 1853 to 1858; James T. Rood, 1858 to 1860, became Assistant Surgeon in the Civil War and Albert B. Robinson, 1857 to 1862, became Surgeon in the Civil War, later Professor of Surgery, New England Female Medical College, (discontinued.)'
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